Learning about Organizational Behavior

Not long ago, people went to work, pursued a
career for life, slowly climbed narrow functional ladders, were
pretty much assured steady employment and a God-given 5% raise
every year. No more!

I used to lecture. In the '70's, it seemed right to shift
toward "lecturettes", and demand more participation
in classes and management workshops. When the '80's came along,
he focused on "how to be nice" for future bureaucrats
who would have a lot of power. No more! It's time to commit
to more authentic personal development for people caring to
live with the turbulence of a more complex world!

Most of tomorrow's organization will be as flat as a fortune
cookie - air and pink slips in the middle. The Fortune 500
is dying, and quickly. Small firms are in, teams, profit centers
with short leases on life and very few middle managers. Linear
careers have ended. You'll learn a lot if you've got core
technical skills, by moving around horizontally, in and out
of firms and partnerships as short-term consultants and vendors.

If you want to survive, give up thinking about titles and
positions; think of projects, set goals, sell yourself, and
be 100% accountable. Think in terms of results, not excuses.
Invest in learning. Lead change efforts. Figure out what value
you can add to what's going on (it'll probably involve getting
up to date as a technology user of some sort!) Show discipline
in all matters of self-management, and above all, show trust
and integrity in your work with teams. You won't have an organizational
career if you don't.

Forget privilege! Future organizations will be places to sink
or swim. You won't be told what to do; you'll need to prove
your worth. You'll make it to "manager" only by
acting like one. Make decisions, right or wrong! Do something!
Inaction will kill you... in anything you're shooting for,
just don't wait.

If you need direction, go ask people, read things and get
interested, then act on your own. Especially in the world
of careers, dependency on the "boss" is a dead-end
route; it's up to you to take initiative, start projects,
seek people who are interested in what you have to offer,
build networks. Nobody has time to hold your hand more than
is really necessary.

Responsibility for success lies within yourself. Forget arrogance.
Don't burn bridges with peers. Don't let anybody down - ever.
Don't put anyone down - even in your own mind. That's not
teamwork. If you want to know where you stand in the eyes
of anyone else, ask. Don't expect to be told... by the time
you are, it may be too late.

Freedom is never easy. It's not anarchy. Freedom comes from
taking responsibility - don't look for it elsewhere. Don't
ask "exactly what is wanted" - life doesn't work
that way anymore. Set high standards of your own rather than
hope to get by with minimal effort. You're 100% accountable
for your goals, for making contributions which others will
value, for the quality of your work. Coddling is out. Ambiguity
is in.

The new world is full of opportunity and growth for those
who embrace risk and manage themselves well. The downside
is onerous for those who don't get it. People who are uncomfortable
in an unstructured world won't make it in large parts of
the 21st century. If you don't have the self-confidence
to take the initiative or are scared, or are waiting for
the boss (or this teacher!) to say it's okay to try something,
you'll be in trouble.